Reverend Antonio (Tony) P. Maldonado, surrounded by his children, passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on January 18, 2022. Tony was born on August 17, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Anastacio and Aurora Maldonado. In November 1960, at the age of 14, he and his family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. He was a graduate of Phoenix Union High School in 1965. He married the love of his life, Margarita (Margie) Maldonado, in August 1970 at Bethel Temple in Phoenix, Arizona. Tony and Margie were married for 48 years, having two children, Leeann and Mark. A life-long learner, Tony received degrees in pastoral ministries from Christ Mission College formerly Latin American Bible Institute and Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Tony was an ordained minister for the last 53 years and served as Senior Pastor for various churches in Oregon, Washington and Arizona. He went on to pursue and receive his Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Ottawa University in 2006. It was during this time he began working as a Chaplain and became a Bereavement Counselor for various hospices in the valley. Although Tony “officially” retired in 2019, during the height of Covid, he went back to work on the front lines as a Chaplain in 2020, retiring for good in August 2021. Tony loved helping people, especially those in the Hispanic community. Not one to sit back and relax, he started Towards New Horizons, a non-profit organization to provide grief support to those that have lost a loved one. He loved reading, horseback riding, traveling and collecting coins. Tony is survived by his children Leeann (Dean) Maldonado-Romero, Mark (Jessica) Maldonado; his grandson, Samuel Maldonado, granddaughters Hannah Maldonado, Marina and Briana Romero. He is also survived by his brothers, Roland (Irene) Maldonado, Manuel (Gloria) Maldonado, his sisters Blandina (Sam) Sandoval, Debora Maldonado and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Margarita Maldonado, his parents, sister Febe Graf, brother Joe Maldonado and nephew Aaron Maldonado. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022 beginning at 11:00am at Way of Life Church, 5802 S. 15th Avenue, Phoenix. Interment immediately following at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary and Memorial Gardens, 4310 E. Southern Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85042. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Tony’s honor may be made to either of his alma maters, Christ Mission College, San Antonio, TX or Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, TX to assist students with financial need.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18